COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION

WRITTEN REPORT IN
(CE 539) TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
(8:30-9:30PM)
TOPIC: TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Submitted by:
Nikko April P. Villanueva

Submitted to:
Engr. Meryl Mae Rodriguez, CE

Sept. 28, 2015

TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Are signaling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other
locations to control conflicting flows of traffic.
Why Traffic Signals?
A. Conflicting traffic movements, make roadway intersections unsafe for vehicles and
pedestrians.
B. Intersections are a major source of crashes and vehicle delay (as vehicles yield to
avoid conflicts with other vehicles).
C. Most roadway intersections are not signalized due to low traffic volumes and
adequate sight distances.
D. At some point, traffic volumes and crash frequency/severity (and other factors) reach
a level that warrants the installation of traffic signals.
Terminologies
Right of Way
Refers to the right of priority to a traffic movement moving in a particular direction.
Cycle
One complete sequence of the operation of traffic signals.
Push Button
A button that is used to register a demand.
Stud
A metallic or thermoplastic marker used to indicate the line of a pedestrian crossing.
Signal Pole
The pole used to mount traffic signal heads on.
Regulatory Sign
A sign that indicates a traffic regulation for example, no right turn or ahead only.
Traffic Island
An area in the middle of a street where you can wait until it is safe to cross.
Basic Traffic Signal Operations
Solid Red
A red signal means STOP. You can make a right turn after you stop and yield to all other
traffic. Do not turn if a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
Solid Yellow
A yellow signal light means CAUTION, the red signal is about to appear.
Solid Green

 A green light means GO, after first yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already lawfully
in the intersection.
Components of a Signal System
Signal controllers
Are electromechanical or electronic devices that regulate the length and sequence of
signal indications at an intersection.
Traffic-actuated controllers
Uses some sensing devices to alter the length and the sequence of signal indications.
Detectors
It can be activated by the passage of the presence of a vehicle. They can be positioned
above the road or on, inside, or under the road surface or simply on the video screen
for imaging processing.
Traffic Signals : Advantages
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Ensures orderly movement of traffic in all directions

Provisions for the progressive flow of traffic in a signal-system corridor
Provisions for side-street vehicles to enter the traffic stream
Provisions for pedestrians to cross the street safely
Potential reduction of accidents, conflicts ensuring safety
Possible improvements in capacity, and
Possible reductions in delay

Traffic Signals : Disadvantages

i.
ii.

Large stop time delay

Complex signal design problems

iii.
The possible effects of a poorly-timed traffic signal :
increase in vehicle delay,
increase vehicle crashes (particularly rear-end crashes)
disruption to traffic progression
What is the purpose of a traffic signal?
Traffic signals are designed to ensure an orderly flow of traffic, provide an
opportunity for pedestrians or vehicles to cross an intersection and help reduce the number of
conflicts between vehicles entering intersections from different directions.

REFERENCES:
Retrieved from http://www.traffic-signal-design.com/how_do_traffic_signals_work.htm
Retrieved from http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/thesaurus-category/american/roadand-traffic-signals-and-crossings